New FWCS partnership to help students access higher education at local colleges, universities

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) announced a new initiative on Wednesday, working with area colleges and universities to make higher education more accessible to its students.

Indiana Tech, Indiana University Fort Wayne, Ivy Tech Community College, Manchester University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Trine University and Vincennes University are part of the new Higher Education Coalition for FWCS.

The coalition provides the following for FWCS students:

• Guaranteed admission: Students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher will get direct admission to all seven coalition schools. Those with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.5 will be reviewed for direct admission, considering their academic improvement, leadership activities, and personal circumstances.
• Free dual credit courses: The seven coalition schools will waive tuition for students who take identified dual credit courses through the district, helping to give students a head start on their college degree at no cost.
• Early college experience: Students taking dual credit courses will get student ID cards, access to college libraries and tutoring services, campus visits, and access to college summer programs and guest speakers. Dual credit teachers will also get opportunities for professional development from university faculty.

The partnership is a three-year agreement that aims to help students feel connected to college before they graduate, an FWCS spokesperson says.

The district says participating colleges and universities will work directly with FWCS counselors to help students and their families through the application process and review financial aid and scholarship options.

FWCS says students and families interested in learning more about college opportunities should contact their school counselor.

“Fort Wayne Community Schools has long partnered with local colleges and universities to provide college credit to our students, but this agreement takes these partnerships to a new level, ensuring all students have access to college courses before graduating from high school,” FWCS Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel said.